Eurolot Signs for Q400s

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft saw its backlog for Q400s grow last month by more than 25 percent with a single firm order from Poland’s Eurolot for eight of the high-speed turboprops, along with options on another 12. The deal not only helps rejuvenate the Q400’s recently growing, but still weak, backlog, but it also signals a shift in Eurolot’s loyalties from ATR, 14 of whose airplanes the Polish airline now operates.

“We are embarking both on a fleet-renewal program and route expansion,” said Eurolot president and CEO Mariusz Dabrowski. “We require aircraft with excellent operational flexibility, which is absolutely essential in the competitive European environment. The Bombardier Q400 NextGen airliner promises to meet our high expectations.”

Bombardier placed the value of the contract at $246 million, based on list prices. The value would rise to $625 million should Eurolot exercise all its options.